An Arizona poll has its first majority for marijuana legalization, the South Dakota legislature passes a hemp bill, an Iowa bill to allow needle exchanges is moving, and more.

There could be hemp fields in South Dakota next year if the governor stays out of the way. (votehemp.org)

Marijuana Policy

Arizona Poll Has First Time Majority for Legalization. A new OH Predictive Insights poll has support for marijuana legalization in the state at 52%, the first time the poll has registered a majority for freeing the weed. In two 2016 OH Predictive Insights polls, only 43% supported legalization.

Maryland Legalization Bills Get Hearing. The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on two marijuana bills Wednesday. HB 656, sponsored by Del. Eric Luedtke (D), would allow adults 21 and older to grow, possess, and purchase marijuana. Legal possession would be limited to one ounce of buds and five grams of concentrate, and individuals could grow up to four plants at a time. HB 632, sponsored by Del. David Moon (D), would amend the state constitution to legalize marijuana for adult use -- which would require voters to approve the measure via a ballot question. No votes were taken, and supporters said they were aiming at 2020, but laying the groundwork now.

South Dakota Hemp Bill Passes But Faces Possible Veto. The state Senate voted Wednesday to approve HB 1191, which would legalize industrial hemp farming, on a vote of 21-14. The bill has already passed the House but will have to go back there to approve changes made in the Senate. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) doesn't like it, but legislators are hopeful enough of her concerns were addressed that she won't veto it. If she does, hemp will have to pick up three more yes votes in the Senate; it passed the House overwhelmingly.

Harm Reduction

Iowa Needle Exchange Bill Advances. A bill that would add the state to the list of 40 others that allow the harm reduction measure advanced just ahead of a critical deadline Wednesday, meaning it stays alive for the rest of the session. SF 500 would authorize a pilot program in five cities for five years.

If you drive through rural Kentucky, you will see acres and acres of the distinctive, almost prehistoric looking tobacco plant. Kentucky is ranked #2 in the nation for tobacco production.

480,000 Deaths Per Year from cigarettes

Of all the drugs that people routinely choose to put into their bodies, tobacco (nicotine) is the most deadly, hands down. No other drug even comes close.

Approximately 88,000 people per year die from alcohol-related causes, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States (the first is tobacco, and the second is poor diet and physical inactivity.) Bardstown, KY prides itself on its bourbon, isn't that so?

But no smoking weed in Mitch McConnell country, even if it's legal!! Says who? Says "The Man!"

Fuck you, Mitch McConnell! Fuck all you petty power brokers in state office who facilitate such fascist and hypocritical BULLSHIT!!

Please increase and improve the linked Wikiversity article with further facts you may know.

PS. Over the last few decades (since about Ronald) the $iggerette corporate oligarchy is estimated to have contributed twice as much campaign money to Republican orgs and candidates as to Democrats. Could the stand pro or con cannabis legality be the reason? Cannabis users have led the way away from superprofitable nicodictive hot burning overdose monoxide $iggerettes toward vaporization and one-hitter microtokage (25 mg).

(Not to be overconfident that Democrats can be trusted to be any more than, well, about twice as good as Republicans on the cannabis issue. And McConnell provided a service in helping make possible a switchover from tobacco production in Kentucky to REFORestation promoted by hemp as a precursor crop to real tallstanding TREES.)